The Dr. Laura Podcast – "What's Your Backstory?: Native Path's Dr. Chad Walding"

Date: April 13, 2026
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Guest: Dr. Chad Walding, Co-founder of Native Path

Overview

This episode of The Dr. Laura Podcast kicks off a new interview series, "What's Your Backstory?" Dr. Laura sits down with Dr. Chad Walding, co-founder of Native Path, to discuss how his journey through ancestral health, physical therapy, and firsthand experiences with Amazonian tribes shaped his approach to wellness. The conversation blends personal stories, practical health insights, and a live musical moment from the Amazon.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Origins of Native Path and Ancestral Health

[00:51 - 02:39]

• Dr. Laura inquires about the inspiration behind Native Path.
• Dr. Walding traces the name and philosophy to ancestral health, influenced by Weston A. Price’s research on indigenous diets and health:
  • "He found...they had perfectly straight teeth and they had no cavities and they also had really good health. Very low rates of heart disease and cancer and diabetes." – Dr. Chad Walding [01:55]
  • Observed stark health contrasts between communities with native diets vs. those consuming modern, processed foods.
• Dr. Walding applied these principles in his career, changing his own lifestyle and seeing benefits in his patients.

Balancing Modern Enjoyment and Native Wisdom

[03:15 - 04:09]

• Dr. Laura playfully debates the trade-off between health and culinary pleasure:
  • "Are you going to try to tell a girl who's half Italian just to give up pasta?" – Dr. Laura [02:39]
  • Walding suggests and jokes about alternatives rather than full deprivation.
• Walding emphasizes that living healthier doesn’t have to feel restrictive:
  • "Most people who eat the way I eat, we don't feel like we're giving up anything." – Dr. Chad Walding [03:36]
• Example dinner: steak, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and “lots of butter” [03:53]

Immersion with Amazon Tribes

[04:09 - 06:25]

• Dr. Walding recounts his month-long stay with a remote Amazonian tribe in Brazil:
  • Participated in a rite of passage: isolation in a hut, minimal food and water.
  • Learned about tribal customs, community rituals, and the centrality of song for cultural connection.
  • "They come together, sit around a fire and sing songs...that’s how they do it." – Dr. Chad Walding [05:12]
• Reflected on the physical and psychological challenges, ultimately returning with deep gratitude for modern conveniences and a new perspective on personal responsibility and community.

The Impact of the Experience at Home

[09:01 - 09:18]

• Dr. Laura asks about the effect on Walding’s wife:
  • "She missed me a lot...They say distance makes the heart grow fonder." – Dr. Chad Walding [09:05]

Music as Cultural Connection

[09:22 - 11:26]

• Dr. Chad shares his musical inclination, singing a traditional Amazonian tribe song ("saiti"):
  • Songs are considered prayers, handed down generations.
  • The tribe taught him songs as part of their initiation and communal tradition.
  • Walding performs a gratitude song for the sun, forest, and birds [11:25].
• Significance: "It's really just an expression of nature, gratitude for nature and all things around us." – Dr. Chad Walding [11:29]

Collagen, Bone Broth, and Modern Deficiencies

[11:42 - 13:45]

• Dr. Walding highlights collagen as a key ancestral nutrient, largely missing from modern diets:
  • "In our modern world, we're extremely deficient in it."
  • Traditional diets included regular consumption of bone broths (source of collagen).
  • Clinical experience: improved healing in patients using collagen supplements, especially pre/post-surgery.
• Native Path’s products use grass-fed, antibiotic-free cows, focusing on type I and III collagen (“what makes up 90% of the collagen in your body”) [12:50].
• Dr. Laura notes: "I like that it mixes in water...it becomes totally clear. It has no taste. So I don’t feel like I’m taking medicine.” [13:45]
• Chad affirms supplement versatility: add to coffee, tea, or even pasta!

Dr. Laura's Appreciation & Series Intro

[14:15 - 14:47]

• Dr. Laura thanks Walding for being the inaugural guest in her new "What's Your Backstory?" interview series.
  • Praises Walding’s journey and entrepreneurial spirit: "I got enthralled with your history." – Dr. Laura [14:38]
  • Commits to continue using Native Path collagen.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• [01:55] Dr. Chad Walding on ancestral health:
  “What he [Weston A. Price] found is they had perfectly straight teeth and they had no cavities and they also had really good health. Very low rates of heart disease and cancer and diabetes.”

• [02:39] Dr. Laura’s humor about pasta:
  “Are you going to try to tell a girl who's half Italian just to give up pasta?”

• [03:36] Dr. Chad Walding on healthy eating:
  “Most people who eat the way I eat, and it's a lot of people, we don't feel like we're giving up anything.”

• [05:12] Dr. Chad Walding on Amazonian community ritual:
  “They come together, sit around a fire and sing songs...that’s how they do it, you know.”

• [07:29] Dr. Chad Walding, on gratitude song:
  "It's really just an expression of nature. Gratitude for nature and all things around us."

• [12:50] Dr. Chad Walding on Native Path collagen:
  "It's type one and type three collagen. So type one and type three is what makes up 90% of the collagen in your body. And as we age, it's so important that we get collagen in our diet..."

• [14:38] Dr. Laura's closing thought:
  “I got enthralled with your history. So thank you very much for presenting with us today. And I'll keep drinking it.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:51 — Dr. Laura introduces Dr. Chad Walding and Native Path
• 01:40 — Walding explains Native Path’s name and philosophy
• 04:09 — Walding recounts his Amazon tribe experience
• 09:01 — Walding discusses the impact on his marriage after returning home
• 09:32 — Chad sings a traditional Amazonian gratitude song
• 11:42 — Insights on collagen, bone broth, and modern nutrition
• 14:15 — Dr. Laura thanks Dr. Chad and wraps up the interview

Recap

This episode provides a fascinating glimpse into how ancient wisdom and modern science can inform healthier lifestyles. Dr. Chad Walding’s stories from the Amazon and his grounding in physical therapy enrich Native Path’s approach, while Dr. Laura’s curiosity and humor make for an engaging and accessible conversation. The episode is equal parts practical health advice, cultural anthropology, and personal reflection.